Dental floss holder



Jan. 16, 1940. J. B. BEACH DENTAL FLOSS HOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 28, 1938 Jaw 5 5,670

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Jan. 16, 1940. J. B. BEACH 2,187,442

DENTAL FLOSS HOLDER Filed April 2a, 1939 :s Sheets-Sheet: 2

Jan. 16, 1940. J. B. BEACH 2,187,442

DENTAL FLOSS HOLDER Filed April 28, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /m t weww WWOf Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES DENTAL FLOSS HOLDER John B.Beach, Washington, D. C. 7 Application April 28, 1938, Serial No.204,863

27 Claims.

This invention isan improved device for holding and stretching a lengthof dental floss so that it can be conveniently inserted between theteeth for cleaning purposes, and which automatically holds and stretchesthe floss, and feeds it through the holding and stretching members ofthe de iactthat while the holders provide for stretching the floss intoa taut state before it is applied between the teeth, they fail toprovide adequate means for taking up the. slack, caused by using thefloss, while the floss is being used between the teeth. i

Moreover, the devices heretofore designed are often of a cumbersomeshape, making it incon- 5 venient or dangerous to use them in the oralcavity.- For instance, many of the devices provide fastening mechanismswhich protrude from the instrument in such a way that they might injurethe gums, teeth, or lining of the mouth.

Other disadvantages might be suggested, such as the inconvenience causedby threading the device, fastening and stretching the length of floss tobe used, and the lack of any mechanism 7 for automatically replacingalength ofused floss with a new and unused length. Moreover, many of thedevices do not provide a mechanism which willp-ermit the use of dentalfloss put up in skeins or cylindricalrolls, which is the form in which.it is customarily placed upon the market, but require the floss to bewound flrst upon special bobbins or spools, which are an essentialelement of the fastening and stretching mechanism. In other words, manyof the devices fail to provide a mechanism for fastening and stretchingmerely a length orloop. of floss ofsuflicient size to be used betweentheteeth but call for the fastening of the extreme end of the woundportion of the floss by means of abobbin, spool, or the like, upon whichthe floss must first be firmly wound before it can be tightened orstretched by means of the mechanism provided in the holder.

One of the objectsof my invention is to overcome the disadvantages nowinherent in the prior art.

handy device, so designedthat it can be used without danger of injuringthe gums, the enamel of the teeth, or the lining of the mouth, and

55 which is provided with a chamber or container flanother object of myinvention is to provide a in one of its handles, in which a skein ofdental floss maybe stored, from which a portion is automaticallywithdrawn as needed, without the necessity of removing it from thecontainer in which it is purchased, and provided with two 6 mechanicalfingers for holding a length of the floss in a stretched and taut statein a convenient manner for use in cleaning the interstices of the teeth,and a simple mechanism for replacing a portion of the used length offloss with an equal amount of new and unused flossfrom the storagechamber, Without the necessity of the operators touching the floss,making any adjustments, or changing the position of the instrument inhis hand, or removing" the instrument from his mouth, and all by thesimple actionof opening and closing his hand in whichthe instrument isheld.

ISi-ill-another object of my invention is to provide a simple holder fordental floss which is so 20 constructed that the floss can be threadedspeedily and. easily through the holding and stretching fingers. and thefastening and feeding mechanism; and which, when once threaded, need notbe rethreaded or adjusted, and the floss need not be handled by theoperator or removed from its container so long as a supply of flossremains in v the storage chamber.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a dental floss holderwhich will automatically feed the floss, without interruption, throughthe holding and stretching fingers of the device, andin such a mannerthat the used floss does not come in contact with the unused floss, sothat it cannot be soiled or contaminated by it, and so that no part ofthe mechanism which touches the used floss will come in contact with theunused floss.

In the drawingsz Figure l is a plan view of one form of my inventionshowing the device at rest and without dental floss threaded through it.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the deviceshown in Figure 1. Y

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2looking in the direction of i the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view taken along line 5--5 of Figure 3 looking inthedirection of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a View taken along line 66 of Figure 3 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view taken along line 1-1 of Figure 3 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

I2I2 of Figure 11 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 13 is a. sectional view of the device shown in Figure 11 takenalong line I3--'-I3 looking in the direction of the arrows. a

Figure 14 is a fragmental, sectional view of a handle positioning devicewhich may be" used on either form of my invention.

As best shown in Figures 1 through 10, in one form of my device theframe of the device consists primarily of two members, designatedgenerally as I and 2, which are pivoted together by a pin or rivet 3.The members I and 2 consist of mechanical fingers or prongs 4 and 5,handles orarms 6 and I, and two semi-circular flanges 8 and 9,respectively. The members I and 2 are so, constructed and pivotedtogether that when the ends of the two mechanical'fingers 4 and 5 toucheach other, as shown at I0, the two handles 6 and I are spread apart, inthe manner shown in Figure l, and the two fingers 4 and 5 are pulledapart when the handles Band 1 are drawn together, as shown in Figure 3.

The handle 6 of the member I comprises a hollow chamber or container IIand a cover or lid I2 therefor, which is hinged at one endto the end ofthe container II, as shown at I3, in such a way that the cover I2, whenclosed over the container I,I, as shown in Figure 1 together with thecontainer II constitute a completely closed chamber of a cylindricalshape. The other end of the cover I2 is so constructed as to form twobearings for the axle of the serrated roller I4.

The cover I2 is also provided with a latch or snap I5, which holds thecover I2 securely to thecontainer iI when the cover I2 is closed.

As shown in Figure 1, when the cover I2 is firmly closed on thecontainer II, the outer profiles of the two members I and 2 aresubstantially alike, except that one is the reverse of the other.Attention is called to this feature because the symmetrical shape of thetwo memhers I and 2, facilitates the use of the device 111' either theright or left hand of the operator.

Using the pin 3 as an axle, a wheel, designated generally as I I, ismounted between the flanges 3 and 9 of the two ,members I and 2. Thiswheel is comprised of two serrated rollers IB and i9, separated by aflange or rim, the edges of which extend beyond the teeth of the rollersI8- and I9. While, for the purpose of convenience, these component partsof the wheel I! are shown as separate members of the wheel,

to the mark 36 on the member 2.

held together by pins, it is obvious that the entire wheel I? may befabricated as one unit and of one piece of material. 7

A. ratchet wheel 20 is positioned within the wheel Il and is attached tothe flange 8. A pawl H is attached to the inner part of the wheel I'I sothat it engages with the notches of the rachet wheel 2!! and preventsthe wheel I I from turning in a clockwise direction (viewed from theside shown in Figure 8).

When the cover I2 is firmly closed over the container II, and locked toit by means of the latch or snap I5, the teeth of the serrated roller I4mesh with the teeth of the serrated roller I8 of the wheel IT, as shownat 22.

A wheel 23, comprising a serrated roller 24 and a ratchet wheel 25, ismounted in a recess in the arm or handle I of the member 2, in such aposition that the teeth of the roller 24 mesh with the teeth of theroller I9 of the wheel ll, as shown at 25. A pawl 21 is mounted on thearm 7 of the member 2 so that it engages with the notches of the ratchetwheel 25 of the wheel 23, and prevents the wheel 23 from turning in acounter-clockwise direction (viewed from the side shown in Figure 8).

v The outer edges of the fingers 4 and 5 are provided with grooves 28and 29, respectively, which run lengthwise of the fingers 4 and 5. Thegroove 28 is so placed in the finger 4 as to form a channel from theteeth of the roller I3 of the wheel I'l to the end of the finger 4 and:ends in a hole 30, which provides a pas sageway for the dental fiossfrom the end of the channel 28 through the end of the finger 4, in thedirection of the finger 5. The groove 29 is so placed in the finger 5 asto form a channel from the teeth of the roller I9 of the wheel I! 1 tothe end of the finger 5 and ends in a hole 3I, which provides apassageway from the end of thechannel 29 through the end of the finger 5and toward the end of the hole 30 in the finger'4.

To load and thread the device with dental floss, the cover I2 is openedas shown by the dotted lines in the Figure 3, and a skein or roll ofdental floss (in the container in which it was purchased or removedtherefrom) is placed in the container II. One end of the floss is thenthreaded along the groove 32 in the member I, which together with thegroove 33 in the cover I2 form a channel, thence over the teeth of theroller I8, along the groove 28, through the holes 39 and 3|, along thegroove 29, and through the eyelet 34 to the point of contact of theteeth of the rollers I9 and 24, which point of contact is shown at 26.With the end of the floss pressed against the meshed teeth of therollers I 9 and 24, it is threaded between them by turning the wheel I!or the roller 24. The handles 6 and l are then brought toward each otheruntil the mark 35on the member I points (The positions of the marks 35and 36 must be predetermined, as explained below.) The floss is thenpulled by hand over the teeth of the roller I8 and in the direction ofthe container II. While the floss is in thisposition, the cover I2 isclosed,

so that the teeth of the roller I4 mesh with the teeth of the roller I8,so as to pin the floss between them, and the cover I2 is securelyfastened to the container II by means of the latch I5. When the devicehas been threaded in the manner just described, it is ready for use.

It will be observed that a segment or loop 01 and 24, has beensegregated from the supply of I floss and firmly confined by means ofthe sets of meshed serrated rollers, in the manner described.

remaining at all times midway between the fingers 4 and 5, whether theybe at rest or moving,

center of the pin 3,perpendicular to the line 24 remain meshed, asdescribed above, the length of the loop of captive floss (measured fromthe points where the line fi8' cuts the edges of the rollers '18 and I9)will always remain constant.

As pointed out above, it is important that the handles and i should notbe drawn coinpletely together when the loop of floss is imprisoned inthe manner described above, for room must be reserved for the handles 6and '5' to be forced closer together in order to stretch the captivefloss, by forcing the extremities of the fingers i and 5 furtherapart;

When the handles 6 and l are grasped in'the hand and squeezed together,a length of floss is tightly stretched across the extremities of thefingers 4 andii, and may be applied between the it-eeth ior cleaningpurposes. If the floss should have a'tendency to slack'en while beingused, the device need not be withdrawn from the mouth but the handles 5and I need only be forced closer together, thus exerting more of a pullon the extremities of the stretched length of floss.

Y them to be forced apart bythe spring l6. As the,

When it is desired to replace a portion of the used length of floss withan equal amount of new and unused floss, the only action necessary is torelease the grip on the handles 6 and T, and'allow handles move apart,two things occur simultane ously and automatically: (a) the fingers 4and 5 approach each other until their" extremities touch, as shown at Hin Figure 1, oruntil the spreading motion of the handles l and 5 isstopped, thus relaxing the tension on the loop of captive floss, and (b)thecenter of the axle of the roller 26 it moved in a semi-circular path,resembling a segment of an orbit, aroundthe roller it, and its'pathdescribes an invisible arc with its-center coinciding with the center ofthe pin '3. This circular movement of the axle of the l roller 24 causesthe teeth of the roller 24 to be again; the. pawl'tl' engages with oneof the notches in the ratchet wheel 2-5, and-prevents the rollerfi lfrom rotating in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed from the sideshown in Figure 8) That being the case,the teethof the roller 2d pressagainst-the teeth of the roller 29, and turn theroller l9 (and theentire wheel H) in a coun- In Figure 3,. if weconsider thefline 1-1 aspassing through the center of the pin 3, and

oer-clockwise direction (viewed from the side shown in Figure 8), and,at the same time, the rotation ofthe roller !9 causes the roller I9 toturn the roller M- in a clockwise direction. This action results in asegment of new floss, of the same length as the segment over which theteeth of the roller 24 rolled, being pulled from the skein of floss inthe container, through the meshed teeth of the rollers l4 and i8, anddisplacing the segment of used floss, in the loop of captive floss,

over which the teeth of the roller 24 rolled, and

the lengthof the loop of captive floss (measured in the manner describedabove) remains unchanged. Since the length'of the loop of captive flossremains the same as it was when the device was first threaded and theteeth of the roller I4 were meshed with the teeth of the roller l8, thelength of floss across the extremities of the fingers 4 and 5-may againbe stretched, as before, by squeezingthe handles 6 and 1 closer togetherand forcing the fingers 4' and 5 further apart.

Until the supply of floss has been exhausted, the operation describedabove may be repeated as often as it is desired to replace used flosswith unused floss, without the necessity of any readjustrnent of thefloss or the device. Moreover, whenthe loop of captive floss is slack,used floss may be displaced'with new floss by merely pulling the end ofthe used floss, which extends from the meshed teeth of the rollers l9and 24, with the fingers. This is possible because of the manner inwhich the teeth of the rollers l4, l8, I9 and 24 mesh, and because ofthe location of the ratchet wheels 2% and 25 and the pawls 2! and 21.While it is true that floss may be pulled through the device in thismanner, when the loop of captive floss is slack, this does not in anyway hinder the stretching of the length of floss between the ends of thefingers 4 and 5. The stretching process is accomplished in a mannersimilar to the way a band of string may be stretched if looped over theindex fingers of the hands and the fingers pulled apart. The length ofthe floss in the loop of captive floss remains constant, whether or notthe floss is being pulled through the device, and in this respect it isanalagous to the band of string, which may be rotated on the index fingers of the hand, as a belt, without lessening the tension (except torelieve friction) exerted by the pull of the index fingers. Because offriction, however, it would be extremely difficult to pull the flossthrough the device while the loop of captive floss isbeing stretched bythe mechanical fingers and 5. For this reason, the floss can bemanipulated between the teeth for cleaning purposes, without the lengthstretohed between the ends of the fingers and 5' slipping.

In another form of my invention, as best shown in Figures .11 through14, a wheel, generally designated as 31, is mounted between the flanges8 and 9 of the two members i and 2, using the pin 3 as anaxle; Thiswheel is comprisedcf two serrated rollers 33 and 39, which are providedwith rims fill. The rollers 38 and 39 are separated by a rim or flangeM, which also serves as a ratchet wheel. A pawl 42 is mounted on themember I so that it engage with the notches in the ratchet wheel M andprevents the wheel 37 from revolving a counter-clockwise direction(viewed from the side shown in Figure 11). A pawl 43 is mounted on themember 2 so that it engages with the notches in the ratchet wheel 4! andenables the handle l' to act as a reciprocating lever for turning theratchet wheel ll (and with it the enfrom the side shown in Figure 11) Awheel 44, comprised of two serrated rollers 45 and i5, is mounted in thebearings of the cover l2.

When the cover I2 is firmly closed over the container H, and locked toit by means of the latch or snap Hi, the teeth of the roller 38 meshwith the teeth of the roller 45, as shown at 41, and the teeth of theroller 39 mesh with the teeth of the roller 46, as shown at 48.

This form of my device is loaded and threaded in the same manner astheform of my device described above, except that after the floss has beenthreaded through the groove 32 it is then laid over the teeth of theroller 38, along the groove 28, through the holes 30 and 3|, thencealong the groove 29 and over the teeth of the roller 39 and around theroller 39. With the floss in this position, the handles 6 and l arebrought toward each other until the mark 35 points to the mark 36, andthe slack in the loop of floss which has been threaded over the roller38, through the stretching members of the device and around the roller39 is taken up by pulling the loose end of the floss in the direction'ofthe finger 4, and the portion of the floss coming from the skein, in thedirection of the skein. While the floss is in this position the cover I2is closed, so that the teeth of the roller 38 mesh with the teeth of theroller 45 and pin the floss which was pulled from the container and overthe roller 38 between them, and the teeth of the roller 35 mesh with theteeth of the roller 46 and pin the floss which was pulled around theroller 39 between them.

The action for stretching the floss and feeding it through thestretching fingers is similar to that described in the firstmodification of my invention, but the mechanical operations of thedevice are of course different. As the handles 6 and I move apart, thepawl 33 clicks over the notches of the ratchet wheel 4|, while the pawl42 remains engaged in one of the notches of the ratchet wheel 4|, andprevents the wheel 3'! from revolving in a counter-clockwise direction(viewed from the side shown in Figure 11) When the handles 6 and I aredrawn together again, the pawl 43 engages with one of the notches of theratchet wheel 4|, and the wheel 31 is turned in a clockwise direction.This causes a segment of the used floss to be withdrawn from the loop ofcaptive floss, and released through the meshed teeth of the rollers 39and 46; at the same time, an equal length of new floss is pulled fromthe container through the meshed teeth of the rollers 3B and 45, and, inthe loop of captive floss, displaces the segment of used floss which isreleased. As in the first modification of vmy invention, this operationdoes not change the length of the loop of captive floss (measured fromthe point 41 to the point 48).

As previously mentioned, in threading either form of my invention it isessential that the handles 6 and I should not be drawn completely together when the loop of floss is imprisoned; room should be left topermit the handles 6 and l to be drawn closer together, after the flossis pinned between the serrated rollers, for the purpose of stretchingthe length of floss between the ends of the fingers l and 5; but, thehandles 6 and I permit the device to be used. The marks 35 and Y 36 areused to facilitate gauging the. correct positions of the members I and 2for this purpose. These marks must, of course, be placed in a positionwhich will accomplish the desired result.

Another means for accomplishing the purpose served by the marks 35 and36 is shown in Figure 14. This device consists of a hook 49, of apredetermined length, hinged to the inner side of the handle I, as shownat 50. A row of holes 5| is provided in the end of the handle 1 intowhich the end of the hook 49 can be inserted. A spring 52 may be used tokeep the hook 49, when not in use, snugly against the inner side ofthehandle I, and when in use, to exert a force to cause the end of thehook 49 to remain in one of the holes 5|. One of the holes 5| is solocated'that when the end of the hook 49 is inserted into it, themembers and 2 will be in the proper position for the loop of floss to beimprisoned. The end of the hook 49 may be inserted in other holes forthe purpose of keeping the device in a compact position when not in use,and to maintain tension on the floss while in use, without the need ofexerting manual pressure on the handles 6 and I.

While for purposes of illustration I have discussed two modifications ofmy invention, it is obvious that many changes can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of this invention. I, therefore,intend that this invention be only limited by the prior art and thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising mechanical means tomaintain a length of dental floss in a taut condition, and othermechanical means to feed fresh floss to said first mentioned means. 1

2. In a dental floss holding device the combination of, a pair ofpivoted members, a length of floss, an automatic feed mechanism for thefloss, and means to operate the feed mechanism by movement of the saidmembers.

3. In a dental floss holding device the combination of, a pair ofpivoted members, a length of floss, an automatic feed mechanism for thefloss associated with one of the members, and means to operate the feedmechanism by movement of the said members.

4. In a dental floss holding device, the combination of a pair ofpivoted members, each member being constructed to form a handle at oneextremity and a prong at the other, a length of floss, and an automaticfeed mechanism for the floss actuated by the movement of the saidpivoted members.

5. In a dental floss holding device, the combination of a pair ofpivoted members, each member being constructed to form a handle atoneextremity and a prong at the other, a length of floss situated withinone of the handles, and an automatic feed mechanism for the flossactuated by the movement of the said pivoted members.

6. In a dental floss holding device, the combination of a pair ofpivoted members, each member being constructed so as to form ,a bandleat one extremity and a prong at the other, a length of floss situatedwithin one of the han dles, a feed mechanism comprising a plurality ofserrated rollers associated with the handles. and means to operate thefeed mechanism by movement of the pivoted members. I

'7. In a dental floss holding device, the combination of a pair ofpivoted members, each member being constructed so as to form a handle atoneientremityand a prong at the other, a length of floss situated withinone of the handles, a feed mechanism comprising awheel which consists ofa pair of serrated rollers, a serrated roller On each otwthe saidpivoted members by means of which ,the serrated rollers of the wheel areoperated as a result of a pivoting movement of the pivoted members.

8.@Ina dental floss'jholding device, the combination of a pair ofpivoted members, each member being constructed so. as to form a handleat oneextremity anda prong at the other, a length 1 ofg flosssituatedwithin; one of the handles, a

feed mechanism comprising a wheel, one face of j which is engaged by aserrated roller, said serrated roller being mounted on one of the saidfeed mechanism comprising a wheel comprising pivoted members.

,9.In a dental flossholding device, the combination of a pair of pivotedmembers, each member being constructed so as to form a handle at oneextremity and a. pro-rig at the other, a length ofifloss situatedwithinoneof the handles, a

two serratedZrollers, one of these serrated rollers 11 beingactuated bya third serrated rollermounted on one of the pivoted members when thesaid pivoted members are drawn closer together.

all). In a dental; floss holding device, the combination ofa" pair ofpivoted members, each member being constructed so as toform a handleatone extremity and a prong at the other, means to normally hold thehandles apart, a lengthof floss situated within one oi the handles, amechanism for feeding the floss through the device, means'to operate thesaid feed mechanism by movement of the pivoted members, and means tosecure a tension on thejdental floss by'separating the said prongs.

11. In a dental floss holding device-the com- ..bination wof 'a .pair ofpivoted members, each member being constructed so as to form a handle atone extremity and a prong containing a channel at :the other, a lengthof floss situated within one of the handles, a feed mech anismcomprisinga wheel and a plurality of serrated rollers for feeding the flossthrough the saidlchannel's, and means to operate the feed mechanism bymovement of the handles.

12.In a dental floss holdingdevice, the combination of a pair of pivotedmembers, each member being constructed so as to form a handle at oneextremity and a prong containing a channelat the other, a length offloss situated within one of thehandl'es, a feed mechanism comprising awheel which consists of a pair of serrated rollers, a one of which isprovided with a pawl,

a serrated roller mounted on each of the said handles, one of saidrollers being provided with a pawl, said last mentioned roller beingcapable of a @circumferenti'al 'movement when actuated by thereciprocating motion of the said pivoted members.

, 13. In a dental floss holding device, the combinationof a pair ofpivoted members, each member being constructed so as to form a handleatone extremity and a prong containing a channel at the other, a length offloss situated within one of the handles, a feed mechanism comprising awheel which consists of a pair of serrated rollers, one of which isprovided with a pawl; a serrated roller mounted on each of the saidhandles, one of said rollers being pro-- Vicled with a pawl, the saidlast mentionedroller being capable of a circumferential movement inrespect to the serrated roller of the wheel which "two members; a

islp-rovided with a pawl and with which it is meshed, said movementbeing actuated by a pivo'ting motion of the said pivoted members.

14. In a device of the character described,

the'combination of mechanical means for holding; floss, mechanical meansfor stretching floss, and mechanical means for feeding fresh floss.

1"5", In a device of the character described, the combination of meansfor'holding a length of floss, means for stretching saidl'ength, and 1-1means for feeding" fresh floss. r

.In a device of the character described, a

mechanism for stretching dentaljfloss compris- I in'g pivoted" membersand a plurality of lheshedserrated rollers. lsl. a device of thecharacter described, a mechanism for, stretching dental flosscomprisiiig two pivotedmembers, each member having a hole in itsextremity ior receiving the floss; and a plurality of meshed serratedrollers.

1 8.111 a device of the character described,

mechanism for feeding dental floss comprising two" pivoted members; aplurality of serrated rollers; a ratched wheelintegral with one of suchrollers; and two pawls.

l9; In a device of the character described, mechanism i'orieeding dentalfloss comprising two pivoted membersfa plurality of serrated rollers;two ratchet wheels, each integral with one 01" such rollers; and two'pawls.

20. In a device of the character described, a

feed mechanism" comprising two pivoted members; two serrated rollers,integral with a ratchet wheel, rotatably mounted on the pivot of the twomembers; a pawl attached to each pivoted member; two serrated rollersrotatably mounted on one of the pivoted members, so as to mesh with thetwo serrated rollers mounted" on the pivot. l i

21. In a device of the character described, a feed mechanism comprisingtwo pivoted members; two serrated rollers, integral with a ratchetwheel; rotatably mounted on the pivot of the two members; a pawlattachedto each pivoted member; two serrated rollers rotatably mountedon the lid of the floss container, so as to mesh with the twoserratedrollers mounted on the pivot when tlie lid' is closed overthe"container.

-22. In a device of the character described, a feed mechanismcomprisingtwofpivoted members; two serrated rollers, integral with aratchet wheel, rotatably mounted on the pivot of the two members; aserrated roller rotatably mounted on one of the pivoted members so as tomesh with one of the serrated rollers mounted on the pivot, and aserrated roller integral with a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on theother pivoted member so as to mesh with the other serratedroller-mounted on the pivot; a pawl attached to each pivoted member.

other pivoted member so as to mesh with the other serrated rollermounted on, the pivot; a pawl attached to each pivoted member.

24. A device or" the character described comprising, two members and apivot at which they are connected, each having a handle and a prongextending in opposite directions from the pivotal connection, the handleand prong of each member being at the same side of a plane whichcontains the axis of the pivot and which extends between the twohandles, whereby the approach of the handles separates the prongs; eachprong having a hole in its extremity to receive floss; a spring to forcethe handles apart; a hook hinged to the end of one handle, the otherhandle having holes in the end of it into which the hook may be insertedto position the handles; a floss container in one of the handles, a lidtherefor, and a latch for holding the are connected, each having ahandle and a prong 25 extending in opposite directions from the pivotalconnection, the handle and prong of each memher being at the same sideof a plane which con tains the axis of the pivot and which extendsbetween the two handles, whereby the approach of the handles separatesthe prongs; each prong having a hole in its extremity to receive floss;a spring to force the handles apart; a hook hinged to the end ofonehandle, the other handle having holes in the end of it into which thehook may be inserted to position the handles; a floss container in oneof the handles, a lid therefor, and a latch for holding the lid to thecontainer; two serrated rollers, integral with a ratchet wheel,rotatably mounted on the pivot; a pawl attached to each member; twoserrated rollers rotatably mounted on one of the pivoted members, so asto mesh with the two serrated rollers mounted on the pivot.

26. A device of the character described comprising, two members and apivot at which they are connected, each having a handle and a prongextending in opposite directions from the pivotal connection, the handleand prong of each member being at the same side of a plane whichcontains the axis of the pivot and which extends between the twohandles, whereby the approach of; the handles separates the prongs; eachprong having a hole in its extremity to receive floss; a spring to forcethe handles apart; a hook hinged to the end of one handle, the otherhandle having holes in the end of it into which the hook may be insertedto position the handles; a floss container in one 'of the handles, a lidtherefor, and a latch for hold- 'ing the lid to the container; twoserratedrollers,

integral with a ratchet wheel; rotatably mounted on the pivot; aserrated roller rotatablymounted on the lid, so as to mesh with one ofthe serrated rollers mounted on the pivot when the lid is closed overthe container, and a serrated roller integral with a ratchet wheelrotatably mounted on the other pivoted member so as to mesh with theother serrated roller mounted on the pivot; a pawl attached to eachpivoted member.

27. A device of the character described comprising two members and apivot at which they are connected, each having, a handle and a prongextending in opposite directions from the pivotal connection, the handleand prong of each member being at the same side of a plane whichcontains the axis of the pivot and which extends between the twohandles, whereby the approach of the handles separates the prongs; eachprong having a hole in its extremity to receive floss; a spring to forcethe handles apart; a hook hinged to the end of one handle, the otherhandle having holes in the end of it into which the hook may be insertedto position the handles; a floss container in one of the handles, a lidtherefor, and a latch for holding the lid to the container; two serratedrollers, integral with a ratchet Wheel, rotatably mounted on the pivot;a serrated roller rotatably mounted on one of the pivoted members so asto mesh with one of the serrated rollers mounted on the pivot, and aserrated roller integral with a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on theother pivoted member so as to mesh with the other serrated rollermounted on the pivot; a pawl attached to each pivoted member.

JOHN B. BEACH.

